Is adding insulation to the attic worth it?

worker providing attic insulation installation

When should attic insulation be replaced?

After the 2021 snow-apocalypse, Texas homeowners are getting their homes better prepared. If you’re going to do anything Texas, do it big and do it right! This includes getting attic insulation installation done. Because knowing how attic insulation works will not ensure you’re better prepared for another snow-apocalypse, but it will help with comfort and energy costs in the summer too. 

Proper attic insulation installation in an unfinished attic is a simple way to keep your heating bill under control. For an investment of between $1700 and $2100, you can get these five benefits: 

1. Money Saved: An attic insulation installation is a financial investment that will lower your future heating and cooling bills, hundreds, even thousands annually. 

2. Comfort: In Texas, the winters can get cold, and the summers definitely get blisteringly hot. But you can keep your home comfortable year-round with attic insulation installation. An under-insulated home is vulnerable to fluctuating temperatures, especially in the attic. With an attic insulation installation, you keep the cool or heat in the living area of the house. 

3. Environmental Impact: For the homeowner concerned with being green, and attic insulation installation will help your home use less energy, limit pollution contribution, and reduce waste, all minimizing your home’s carbon footprint.

4. Soundproofing: Wall and attic insulation installation will soundproof your home, a big bonus if you live on a busy street or have loud neighbors. ad, or annoying city sounds. 

5. Overall Help for Your Home: Attic insulation installation will help your home’s foundation and roof by keeping pipes from freezing (a BIG problem this past February!) and keep you from having those massive repair bills again.

How much insulation do I need in my attic?

Before you call and schedule a professional attic insulation installation, or buy the materials to DIY, check to see what you have first. How much and the condition of what you have will determine how much you need, if any. Don’t just assume you need any insulation.

The recommended amount of attic insulation is based on two major factors: 

  • Where you live—Insulation is measured in R-value, and it takes on a different value for different climates.
  • Age of your home—A home that is 10 years old or older will need more attic insulation than a new home. Your attic insulation installation can be retrofitted with a fiberglass and mineral wool type of insulation.

Is it worth replacing attic insulation?

Typically, with attic insulation installation, manufacturers advise it should last at least 80 years, and sometimes even as long as 100 years. However, it’s efficacy becomes less and less as its ages, so the recommendation is replacing it every 15 years to ensure that it is doing the best job possible. You should check every two to three years and if there are any signs of moisture or pests in the insulation, you should consider an attic insulation installation sooner than the recommended 15 years.

Can you put too much insulation in the attic?

Yes – too much insulation in the attic can have a negative impact, and here a couple of reasons why this is one time more is not better: 

  • Poor ROI: ROI, (Return on investment) is a concept in determining the value of an investment. When we’re considering an attic insulation installation, the ROI is determined by dividing the benefit it provides, i.e. energy savings, by the cost of your initial investment. Once you know the recommended R-value for your home, if you want more energy efficiency than what that provide, install a radiant barrier instead. A radiant barrier will block heat from the roof before it reaches your insulation. This allows less heat transfer into the air conditioned space of your home. 
  • Poor Ventilation: An attic has to be ventilated, but if you overstuff the attic with insulation, the ventilation can’t work. 

Can I install my own attic insulation?

Yes, it is possible with certain types of attic insulation materials, and it will save you money. A fiberglass batting type of insulation is a fairly easy DIY project for one weekend. However, if you want to go with blown in or spray foam insulation, this has to be done by a certified and licensed attic insulation installation professional.

What attic insulation do I need?

There are a variety of attic insulation types, but the one most recommended today is spray foam insulation. There are two types of spray foam insulation to choose from: 

  • Closed-cell with a R-6.5 value 
  • Open-cell with a R-3.6 value 
spray foam insulation being sprayed into an attic

Closing Up With Answers For Two Major Concerns

For a home where family members have allergy issues, the concern for how attic insulation will affect them is legitimate. So, can attic insulation cause allergies?  Poor to no attic insulation is a bigger concern. Things like dust mites, mildew, mold, and pet dander can be triggered when there is little to no attic insulation. 

A more common concern for health risks is fiberglass insulation. Most of us will have skin irritation when we come in contact with fiberglass. The particles create a rash and the itching inflames the rash. Another big concern for homeowners is the flammability of attic insulation. Is attic insulation flammable? Because fiberglass insulation is made with plastic polymers, it is naturally fire-resistant. However, there are many circumstances that could still cause it to burn. We wouldn’t recommend smoking while you are doing your own attic insulation installation!